MSU Working with NCAA on ‘Potential Recruiting Irregularity’

ESPN.com is reporting that Mississippi State is being investigated by the NCAA in regards to the recruiting practices of former assistant coach Angelo Mirando, who resigned on Sunday for what he called “unforeseen personal issues.”

Joe Schad tweeted that Mirando left “in wake of [an] ongoing NCAA investigation into his recruitment of at least one Bulldogs player.” The school sent out a statement that did not confirm an investigation, nor did it name Mirando, but it did say this:

“Over the last several months, Mississippi State has worked in cooperation with the N.C.A.A. to examine a potential recruiting irregularity. We are nearing the end of this examination, and it is our intent to provide additional details when it is complete.”

The NCAA has given confirmation that the issue is being looked into. In an email to the Journal, an NCAA spokesperson wrote, “We can confirm the university’s statement. The NCAA and Mississippi State are working cooperatively regarding this matter, but we have no further comment.”

Speaking after practice today, coach Dan Mullen would not say whether the NCAA’s probe had anything to do with Mirando’s dismissal, and he would not comment on MSU’s cooperation with the NCAA.

Both Schad and the Memphis Commercial Appeal reported that MSU freshman Will Redmond was the subject of an interview the NCAA conducted with his high school coach, Marcus Wimberly. Mullen said Redmond is still practicing with the team.

When I initially asked Mullen whether Redmond was practicing, he said, “We don’t talk about injuries, you know that.” I explained I wasn’t asking about an injury, and Mullen said, “Why wouldn’t he be practicing? … Yeah, everybody’s practicing. Yeah. Why wouldn’t he be practicing?”

Another reporter told Mullen that Redmond had been named in Schad’s report.

“Yeah, he’s practicing,” Mullen said. “I would try to get a little more reliable source than Joe Schad.” (laughing) “I’m supposed to be coaching at State College (Penn State), I guess, right now, too, according to Joe Schad last year. Wasn’t that the case?”

When I reached Redmond’s 7-on-7 coach, Byron De’Vinner, earlier today, he declined to comment on whether he knew anything about the investigation.

I sent an FOIA request to MSU this afternoon seeking information on Mirando and a possible investigation and hope to receive that information soon.